Bring a Trailer Auctions, E30 edition

[cory58]

900 for a control arm and control arm bushing is pretty extreme unless it also included an alignment, which would only make the price high, instead of over the top. Of course, so much depends on how a shop charges, what parts are used, and what other services were actually performed.

My guess for the ticket would be vendor parts cost plus 20%, likely under 300, labor at 100-200, perhaps an alignment at 100-200, shop supplies and tax, no more than 50.

That makes sense. An OE control arm + $20% could be $300. The high end of all your numbers comes close to $900. Crazy. I'm feeling better about the money I spent on a real shop and lift!

I laughed at the other poster's response of "you get what you pay for." That's true, unless you OVERPAY.

[e30austin]

900 for a control arm and control arm bushing is pretty extreme unless it also included an alignment, which would only make the price high, instead of over the top. Of course, so much depends on how a shop charges, what parts are used, and what other services were actually performed.

My guess for the ticket would be vendor parts cost plus 20%, likely under 300, labor at 100-200, perhaps an alignment at 100-200, shop supplies and tax, no more than 50.

list for an OE e46 control arm is $220, the bushing lists at $70, so we've got $290 in parts. the book pays 2.0 hours for one side control arm and bushing replacement. $900 definitely seems high to me, but it all depends what else was on that invoice.

[roguetoaster]

list for an OE e46 control arm is $220, the bushing lists at $70, so we've got $290 in parts. the book pays 2.0 hours for one side control arm and bushing replacement. $900 definitely seems high to me, but it all depends what else was on that invoice.

Didn't know book time was 2hr, was thinking more like 1.5. Wish the entire industry could get away from "hours," as it would probably be easier for customers to understand some other more generic labor cost measurement and accept profit/overhead being a part of that cost, instead of the old classic "it wouldn't take me that long" idea that it's actual work time. That's without even thinking of the likely uncharged inspection time/storage/little things good shops do without charging.

[2mAn]

1989 M3

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-bmw-m3-50/

and though I wont start the tracking of E30s on cars&bids, theres a few lookers and potential deals

No-Reserve 5-speed 325i Convertible $1100 right now and ends in a 2 days

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/KDXaNab0/1987-bmw-325i-convertible

[2mAn]

1992 325i Convertible

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1992-bmw-325ic-3/

[TeXJ]

is it just me or does it seem like the e30 M3 prices are starting to come back down?

[varg]

I don't have time to do a line fit on this but I'm pretty sure it's just you based on the look of it.

[TeXJ]

Yeah it does look like it's still strong on the high end...oof

[2mAn]

TeXJ this will show us if they are softening or staying strong... 176k miles and no-reserve, but a beautiful example which I think is reelizmpro car

1988 M3

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-bmw-m3-102/

[Javier h]

Barry's car had different seats and a single exhaust but he's always changing things up. I don't think he would sell his first M3.

Also the ad says he added 3k under ownership.

[TeXJ]

2mAn yeah I think it will be a good indicator

[2mAn]

Yea thats not Barry's car. I looked at some of my old pics. Right Color & Wheels, but it ends there. Barry's has an EVO front lip, different wheel barrels, different stance and I also have a pic of his plate so yea that also confirmed its not his haha

[2mAn]

1990 M3

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1990-bmw-m3-49/

[2mAn]

1992 325i Convertible

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1992-bmw-325-36/

[2mAn]

1988 M3

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-bmw-m3-113/